“I guess.” Mateo left the office.
Rylan remained, his gaze fixed to Smitty petting the cat. “You sure? I mean, she could always sleep outside or just hang in your office. It’s not like she has access to the paint rooms.”
Axel just stared, reminding Rylan who ran the shop.
Rylan took another glance at the cat. “Just sayin’.”
Smitty slung an arm around Rylan’s shoulders. “Don’t worry, kid. I’ll work on the big man. We’ll have a shop cat before you know it.”
“Kid?” Rylan smiled at him, then his face froze, as if he suddenly realized Smitty stood so close. He ducked from under Smitty’s arm and hurried away, yelling for Mateo to turn up the music.
Axel studied the interaction, curious as to the look on Smitty’s face. A wondering kind of expression.
“You think to change my mind?” he asked Smitty.
Smitty sat across from Axel’s desk, making himself at home. “Please. You already made up your mind. She’s yours.”
“What? No. That’s not right.”
“Uh-huh.” Smitty grinned at him. “You built her a fuckin’ house. You fed her, and you had us feeding her when you weren’t here. Lie to yourself all you want. But you, my friend, have a cat.”
“Shit.”
“Exactly.”
The cat just blinked at him, as if to sayYes, feeble human. Accept your master.
Axel glared at her, and she just kept purring.
To change the subject, he asked, “What’s going on with Rylan? Is he doing his job well?”
“Well enough.” Smitty shrugged. “I think something’s bothering him though. He seems tense around me, but not around Mateo. Then again, Mateo’s about as threatening as a flea.”
Axel absently scratched the back of his hand and glared at the cat again. Damn it. He’d need to get her to the vet sooner than later. Kittens, fleas, and she’d need shots, he was sure.
“I need to go somewhere for a few hours,” he muttered.
Smitty smirked at him and the cat. “Sure thing. I’ll watch the phones. We’ve got parts coming in today, so we should be able to prep the fender for the Buick. Mateo’s still sanding Mrs. Parker’s Acura. Should be done in a few more days, no problems so far. Lou called, said he’s coming in to talk to a client about a special paint job at four. Something custom.”
“The Charger?” Axel nodded. “Gut.” Then he turned to the cat. “You will come with me and give me no trouble,ja?”
Her tail twitched.
“I’m thinking you should put her in a box so she doesn’t freak out at the vet’s,” Smitty advised. “There’s a good vet I know of.” Smitty pulled out his phone. “I’ll text you the clinic’s info.”
“I never said I was going to the vet.”
“And you don’t have a cat. Yeah, I got it.” Smitty left the office, whistling.
* * *
Three hours later and a few hundred dollars poorer, Axel returned to the office sans an unhappy, pregnant cat. He had to go back the following day after the cat had gotten a thorough checkup. The poor little thing had been shaky and scared, and he hadn’t liked leaving her there. But Smitty had been right. The veterinarian had been careful and patient.Shehadn’t been clawed or bitten.
He studied the wounds on his hands, annoyed he’d let the cat gouge him.
Last time I’m nice to snarling felines.
The thought reminded him of a snarling little rabbit he’d recently petted, and he grinned as he got back to work. The day passed too slowly, not enough things to keep his mind from the fact he had a date with Rena in another few hours. He’d texted her a reminder, and they’d settled on him picking her up at seven from her house.
